The truth about extended warranties

If you buy a new smartphone, tablet, computer, TV or even car stereo, it's very likely the salesperson will try to sell you an extended warranty. You never know when something terrible might happen to your gadget, after all.

It's no secret that extended warranties are a money-maker for stores, otherwise, they wouldn't push them so hard. But does that mean that they're a bad deal for you? It depends on a number of factors that we'll look at. There are also some alternatives to in-store extended warranties you should know.

Alternatives

Before you even consider any extended warranty, check with your credit card company. It might give you an extended warranty or extra benefits automatically when you buy with certain cards. Some cards will extend the manufacturer's warranty another full year.

You also might want to shop around for the item you want. Some stores will throw in an extended warranty or extend the factory warranty for free when you buy from them. It's a good way to get extra protection without paying.